Electric switch



1,574,532 C. D. AINSWORTH ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed De'c. 14, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 23 1926.

Feb. 2:15 1926.

C. D. ANSWORTH ELECTRIC SWITCH Feb. 23,19%, 1,574,532

C. D. AINSWORTH y ELECTRI C SWITCH Filed Deo. 14, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Il? vereinf".

( kika Feb. 23 1926.

C. D. ANSWORTH ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Dec. 14, 1921 4 sheets-sheet 4 vide Patented Feb. 23, v19206.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHESTER D. AINSWORTH, OF WLLASTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE .AS- SIGNMENTS, TO CONDIT ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, OF BOS- TON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPOR.I^.'.K`.'IO1\Tv OF. MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC SWTTCH.

Application led December 1e, 1921.

To a/.Z whom 'it 111-03/ concern.'

Be it yknown that I, CHESTER D. AINS- \\'ouTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at lollastom in the county of `Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric switches and has particular reference to electrically operated switches adapted to be enclosed removably in cells.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an electric switch and a self-contained electrical operating device as a switch unit.

A further object is to arrange the switch so that the switch and its terminals are enclosed in the cell and the electrical operating device is disposed externally of the cell.

A further object is to provide the switch with means adapted to forni a part of the closure for the cell.

For certain purposes, 'cell or truck type switches are of the single pole type and for the control of multi-phase circuits, there will be an independent switch for each phase of the circuit; and the switches will be installed in independent adjacent cells; and the switches are arranged to be operated simultaneously to control the multi-phase circuit. The switches are also 'arranged to be removed independently from their enclosing cells for inspection when desired.

A further object of the invention is to prooperating means connecting the switches of a circuit and extended between the switches externally in front of the cellsl and so arranged that the connection of the operating means between the switch to be removed and adjacent switches is accompished without removal of bo`.ts and the li re.

A. further object is to arrange the connect-ing means so that the connection between adjacent switches cannot be broken until the switches are in a predetermined condition.

A further object is to provide each switch of a multi-phase circuit with independent electrical]y-operated operating means and to connect all operating means of the switches for conjoint operation to open andl close the switches.'

Serial No. 522,226.

A further object is to provide a cell-type switch with its electrically-operated operating means removable therefrom and with means by which the operating means of other switches of the circuit may operate a switchl having no individual electricallycontrolled operating means.

A further object is generally to improve the construction and operation of electric switches- Certain features of this invention are disclosed in my co-pending applications, Serial No. 585,672, filed September 1, 1922; Serial No. 522,227, iiled December 14, 1921; and Serial No. 535,220, filed February 9, 1 922.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a series of switches embodying the invention arranged in cells and with the doors of the center cell removed. 1

\Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1, with the cell walls illustrated in section and with the center switch partially withdrawn from its cell. t

ig. 3 is a side view of a switch of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a front View of the operating shaft of the closing magnet and illustrating more particularly the connections between the shafts of adjacent switches. 4

Fig. 5 is a side detail illustrating the positions of the switch operating and locking arms of the closing magnet shaft in switchclosed and switch-open positions.

Fig. G is an enlarged detail of the connection between the closing magnet lever and the operating shaft.

Fig. 7 is a detail, in side elevation, illustrating the relative position of the complernentary parts of the operating shaft coupling in partially separated position.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a view of the floating member of the coupling and illustrating more part-icularly the relative position of the guide Ways in its opposite faces.

Fig. 10 is a detail illustrating a modifie-d form of coupling connected to angularlydisposed shafts. v

ll have herein illustrated myinvention applied to three switches adapted for the control of a three phase circuit; and each switch is contained removablyVY in one of theV cells A, B and C which are arranged side by side.

Said switches are identical and but. .one ywill be described.7

' The switch comprises the oil receptacle 10 and the switch frame 11,`comprising a cover for the receptacle secured, preferably reformed in the .upper edge of said plate, to 'the upper portion of the cell walls and depend over the side walls of the cell and .the upper edgejof said plate 30 to cover and enclose the upper portion of said cell.

movably, to the top of the receptacle. Sta A similar plate 33, having ears 34 received tionary switch-members 12 are'carried b v said frame and depend into the receptacle; and switch-operating mechanism is enclosed by the' casing formed by said cover and receptacle. Said operating mechanism is provided with an operating member, as the shaft 137 which is journalled in andV projects beyond a side wallof said switch frame. An arm 14 is secured to said shaft, and .said

arm is adapted to be actuated by the electrically-controlled operating mechanism to Aopen and close the switch.

cured to a truck or carriage 15 having the peripherally-grooved wheels 16 journalled therein. ASaid wheels are received on a track Said receptacle lrests upon and is seremovably in slot 35 in said plate 30, may depend from said plate`30 to cover the lower portionl of said cell. said plate 32 may be formed with slots 36 therein in which the tracks 17 may be received.

It will be noted that if an explosion accompanied with iire'takes place Within the cell, thehinged plate 3l and 33, comprising cell doors, will swing outwardly to relieve the pressure within the cell -and will thereafter close to enclose the fire within the cell.

formed with an ear 38 and a pair of links 39 are pivoted to opposite sidesof said ear and depend therebelow. A. pin 40 connects the 17 disposed. on and secured to the bottom lower end of said links and a cam roller v41 wall of the cell; and said track serves tolocate the switch laterally in the cell.V An adjustable stop-member 18 rises from the cell vfloor to engage and limit the movement of `the switch toward the rear of the cell, and

' va screw 19 carried by the carriage 15 and re- 30 movably threaded in a fixed member 20 serves to draw the switch against said stopmember and. removably lock the switch in the cell.

. The tracks f the several cells are arranged in parallel and thestop-members are so adjusted vthat' the switches occupy correspondin positions in the cells. i

' 1he electrically-'controlled operating mechanism for the switch mechanismincludes' the closing coll comprising the iron-'clad'sole-n noid carried bythe bracket 26 which forms a cover-plate for one endof the solenoid; and aplate'?l forms 'a cover for the other end of the solenoid. Y

l Said closingcoil is attached removably to the 'tch frame by suitable means, as the bolts 28. F or ce`rtainp oses, it may be secured directly to the swltchvframe` (not shown) .and for other purposes, and as here shown, an ,adapter block 29 may be inter- `posed between the s 'tch VAframe and the closing coilfor .the pu pose of extending the -i.'c1osing coil. suliciently beyond the switch to enable theswitch to be enclosed in the CII block 29, `and saidrplate extends vertically above and below the electrically-controlledcell and, theclosing coil, and other switchoperating mechanism,` associated with said coil, to extend beyond the Y A plate 30 is carried by said adapter -sWitch-o erating mechanism, la1`1d..-laterally beyond t e switch casing to engage the side wall's of the cell and. form a partial closure for the front Aof the Cll.- A Plate 31 may beA hinged removably, as by the vears' 32 herein illustrated, but one auxiliary switch' need be employed, as all switches of the unit are arranged\to be operated in unison. The .auxiliary switch is here shown -as carried by and ou top of the closin coil 25 of the vmiddle switch, as illustrate movable member 46o said auxiliary switch is pivotall'y connected to'the end of. a lever The cover plate 27 of the solenoid 25Y isv rlhe lower portion of uit 47 and said lever'is pivotally -mounted between the lugs 48 lextended .from the cover -plate v27 at the iside-portion thereof.. The

lwer end. of vsaid lever is pivotally and.

loosely-connected to `the p in 43 of the clos-` ing coil links. It will be obvious that as said closing coil is .energizedto close the switch and said links move inward, the auxiliary. switch willbevoperated to assume one condition, and when' said links move outward, on .the o ening movement of the switch, Said -auxi 'ary switch willv be operated to assume another condition. While the: closing coil is adapted to be but momenfr tarily energized-toV close the switch, lmeans hereinaftebto bedescribed, are provided to hold the links 39 in a switch-closed position until the switch is opened'.

Said bracket l26 is provided with a housing 50 for anoverload or trip coil disposed 'below'\theclosing coil and the movable member'l of 'said trip; coil depends below said'hOUSing.

l An'operatin shaftv .55 yis rotatably sup-- .ported in suta le bearingmembers 56 car-I `ried by said housing 5l and disposedv below said closing coil. An arm 57 is fixed to said shaft between said bearing members-and its upper end is formed with a cam face adapted to be engaged by the cam roller 41 of the movable members of the closing coil to rock said shaft and close the switch. Links 58.

loosely connect with the links 39 of the closing coil with the upper end of said arm 57 'to cause the auxiliary switch 45 to correspond with the condition of the main switch 'and also toprevent saidlinks 19 from being thrown upwardly out of operative relation with said arm 57 when the switch is opened.

Said arm 57 extends downwardly below the operating shaft 55 and a latch lever 59 is pivoted thereto. Said lever has a notch which engages the fixed pin 60 to hold the switch in closed position, and the movable member 51 of the trip coil 50 is adapted to engage the end of said lever to raise it fromengagement with said pin to trip the switch.

An arm 6l is secured to an end of the operating shaft 55 beyond a bearing member 56 and is extended upwardly thereabove and an operating-rod 62 is pivotally connected y therewith and extends through an aperture 63 in said plate 30 and is' pivotally connected with the arm 14 of the operating shaft 13 of the switch. A spring 65 may be secured to saidarm 14 to assist the switch mechanism in opening the switch.

It is obvious that a rotary movement of said operatingvshaft 55 in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 3, will close the switch, and said spring 65 will rotate said shaft in the reverse direction to open the switch.

One of the principal features of the inventionis the means forl connecting the operating shafts of a series of switches for conjoint operation.

The connecting means, or coupling, is illustrated moreparticularly in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 through 10. The coupling comprises the two discs and 70 each having the hubs 7l and 71- adapted for attachment to the proximate ends of operating shafts and are secured thereon by the set screws 72. Said discs are formed with the radially arranged dove-tailed splines 73 and 73,a on their end faces. A ioating or coupling disc 74 is adapted to connect said discs 70 and 70a; and said disc 74 is formed with two dove-tai-led grooves 75 Aand 75a in its oppo- Jsite end faces arranged at right-angles with each other and vshaped to receive slidably the splines 73` and 73a. Said splined discs 70 and 70a are assembled with the splines thereof in the grooves in the coupling disc.

The arrangement is such that the shafts to which the discs 70 and 70El are secured may be relatively eccentric and yet both shafts ywill be constrained for conjoint rotation at equal angular speeds, the eccentricity of the shafts being compensated for by sliding movements of the splines in the grooves in the coupling disc, as will be obvious.

By the use of dove-tailed splines, the shafts secured to said discs 70 and 70:k are constrained from relative axial movement and all switches of .the gang are tied together. For some purposes it may be desirable to form the coupling with splines having no locking portions, and corresponding grooves, in, the coupling disc, and Fig. l() .illustrates such a coupling; and the same results may be accomplished.

The operating shaft 55 of the middle switch of the gang is extended beyond the bearing-members 56 in both directions and discs 70 of the couplings are secured thereto. rlihe operating shafts of the end switches may be extended toward the middle switch,`

and in line therewith, and thediscs 70a of the couplings are secured thereto. Tith this arrangement the operating shafts of all switches are secured together for conjoint rotation, and all closing coils may operate collectively to close the switches, or one alone may operate to close the switches; and

ga single tripping coil and associated mechanism may serve to lock all switches closed,

and trip all switches open.

inasmuch as it may be diiiicult to align the operating shafts of the switches of the gang accurately in a common or one axis of rotation, this arrangement is particularly desirable as all shafts are rotatably connected and yet each is free to rotate about its own axis. 7

The form of couplin herein illustrated provides means by whic any switch of the gang may readily be disconnected mechanically from the remaining switches. In the switch-open position of the coupling, one of the grooves, as 7 5, in the coupling disc 74, and the corresponding spline, as the spline 73a, in the disc 7 0, are arranged to be angularly-inclined to the horizontal as indicated in lBig. 5, to prevent the switch from rolling out of the cell when the lock on the switch is removed. However, when the operating shaft is rotated sufiiciently in a switch-closing direction to bring the spline and groove into a horizontal plane, or into a plane parallel to the tracks 17 on which the switch is supported, the switch may be moved outwardly. from the cell and the coupling will automatically become disconnected.

For the purpose of rotating the operating shaft, a socket-member 80 ma be secured to the operating shaft, and pre erably to the- Itv is obvious thatthe invention may be embodied in other modifications without departing from the yspirit thereof.

I claim:

1. The combination, as a unit, ot an oil 'immersed electric switch having a casing switch to open. f

2. The combination, as a'unit, of an oil immersed electric switch having a casing `enclosing the switch-inen'ibe'rs, `wheels b v which the casing is movably supported and electrically-controlled switch-o p er a ti n g means mounted externallyy on said casing,

saidoperating means including electrical means to move the switch into closed position, mechanism to lock the switch in closed position and permit the electrical 'means to be de-energized,v and electrical means to release the loclron the switch and permit the switch to open. i ,l

3. The combi ation;v as a unit, of an oil immersed electiii switchl having a casing enclosing the switch members and means lon which the switch .is supported for movement, and electrically-controlled switch- -operating means carried by said casing, said operating means including" electrical means to move the switch into closed position7 mechanisinto lock the` switch in closed position and permit the electrical means to be fie-energized, and electrical means toy release p the lock on theswiteli and permit the switch to open.

4. An oil immersed electric switchy having the combination ot a'- casing enclosing the switch-members comprising an oil receptacle and aswitch frame comprisinga cover for the oil receptacle, and electricallycontrolled switch-operating means carried I"lock the switch in closed position andper-` by said switch frame, said operating means including electrical means to move, the switch into: closedpositio'n, mechanism to mitifthe' electrical means to -be de-energized', and electrical meansto release the lock on the. switchand`pei'mit theswitch to open.

` 5. A Ii'oil immersed electric switch having the combination ofa casing enclosing the switch-members comprising an oil receptacle, and a switch frame comprising a cover for the oil receptacle, and electrically-conti'ollcd switch-operating Vmeans Amounted externally on said switch fram said operat-y ing means .including `.e1e'ctr l `means to move: the switch-into' closed o'sition, mech- `anism` to lock the switchin closed position cover for said oil receptacle, switch-menibers and operating mechanism disposed in said easing,` said operating mechanism having an operatingmember extended externally ot' said casing, and electrically-conltrolled ,switch-operating means mounted exoil receptacle, a-switch frame comprising` a..

ternally on said switch trame having a memi ber disposed externally of said casing and connected with said operating member, said switch-operating means also having electrical means to lock its member in a position corresponding to the closed condition of the switch, mechanism to lock said member in such position wherebyy to permit the deenergization of said electrical means, and electrical means to `release the lock on said member' and cause the switch .to open.

7. An electric switch having a casing comprising an oil receptacle, and a switch frame comprising a cover for said oil receptacle, operating mechanism disposed within said casing, and electrically-controlled switchoperating means removably secured externally to said switch frame', said operating means including electrical means to move the switch into closed position, mechanism to lock the switch in closed position and permit the electrical means to be de-energized, and electrical means to release the lock on the switch and permit the switch to open.

8. An electric switch having a casing comprising an\o,il receptacle, and a switch frame lcomprising a cover for said oil receptacle, iopcrating mechanism disposed within said Leasing, said switch trame having a vertically-disposed flange, and anelectrically-operated switch-closing coil secured removably vto said flange.

9. An electric switch having 'a casing com- 2 comprising a front cover for'the cell, switch operating mechanism disposed on one side of said cover, a switchcasing disposed on .the other side of said cover, and both mechanism and'cover carriedby said casing.

1l. Thecombination, with a cell having a front closure therefor, of an electric switch having a casing for the switch members disposed within the cell behind and supporting said front closure, and electricall -controlled vswitch-operating means carried y said easing and disposed externally of the cell in frontof said front closure.

/12. A cell-type electric switch having a casing comprising an oil receptacle and a switch frame comprising a cover for the oil said cell-closing plate.

15. A cell-type' electric switch having a casing for the switch members, a cell-closing plate 4carried by the upper portion of saidcasing, anda cell cover carried by said ate.

p 1G. A cell-type electric switch having a casing for the switch members, a cell-closing plate carried by the vupper portion of sald casing, and a'cell cover secured pivotally to said plate and depending therebelow.

17. A cell-type electric switch having a casing for the switch members, a cell-closing plate carried by the upper portion of sald casing, and a cell cover removably secured pivotally to said plate and depending therebelow.

18. The combination of a cell having an entrance, and an electric switch arrangedk to be moved into the cell and also out of the cell and free from the cell-structure, said switch having a casing .and means carried said casing arranged partially to close the cell entrance when the switch is in'the cell, and electrically-controlled switch-operating means carried by'said casing beyond said cell closing means.

19. `A cell-type electric switch having A means whereby 1t may be moved into the cell and also out of the cell -and `free from the cell structure, a casing, switch-members and operating-mechanism contained within said casing, said operating mechanism havan operating member extended externa ly of the casing, a cell-closing plate carried by said casing, and .electrical -controlled switch-operatin means carried by said casing beyond sai cell-closing plate having a member extended through an a erture in said plate and connected o eratively with the extended member of sai switch-operating mechanism.

20. rlhe combination of a cell having an entrance and an electric switch received in said cell, Asaid switch having a plate arranged partially to close the cell entrance, and a cover late carried by and extended downwardly rom 'thetop of the cell at the cell entrance and over the cell cover plate of said switch.

21. The combination of a cell having an entrance, an electric switch received in the cell having a cover plate arranged partiallyY to cover said entrance, a cell door secured to and depending from said cover plate to cover the lower portion of the cell entrance and a second cell door arranged to cover the upper part of the cell entrance.

22. The combination of a cell having ai. entrance, an electric switch received in the cell having a cover plate arranged partially to cover said entrance, a cell door secured to and .depending from said cover plate to cover the lower portion of the cell entrance, a second cell door arranged to cover the upper part of the cell entrance and electrically-controlled switch-operating means carried by said switch externally beyond said cover plate and cell doors.

23. The combination of a plurality of electric switches, each switch having an operating shaft, said switches adapted to be arranged with their respective shafts in approximate co-agial alignment, and means to connect the proximate ends of said operating shafts for conjoint operation in an eccentric alignment of said shafts.

24. The combination of a plurality of electric switches, each switch having an operating shaft, said switches adapted to be arranged with their respective shafts in ap proximate co-axial alignment, andy means to connect the proximate ends of said operating shafts for conjoint operation admitting of'the rotary movement of each shaft about its own axis.

25. rll`he combination of a plurality of electric switches each switch having an operating shaft, said switches adaptedv to be arranged with their respective shafts in approximate co-axial alignment, and couplings connecting the proximate ends of said shafts for conjoint rotary movement, said couplings including interlocked couplingmembers arranged for separation by a relative movement of said members transverse the line of operating shafts.

2'6. The combination of a pluralityV orV electric switches, each switch having an operating shaft, said switches adapted to be arranged with their respective shafts in approximate co-axial alignment, and means connecting the -proximate ends of said shaftsl for conjoint rotary movement admitting of the disconnection of said connecting means and the removal of a switch and its operating shaft from -theline by a movement of I the'switch transverse the line of operatin` shafts.

27.. The combination of a plurality of electric switches, each switch having yan operating shaft said vswitches adapted 'to be arranged with their respective shafts in apr proximate co-axialalignment,and couplings connecting the proximate, ends of said oper- .ating shaftsffor conjoint rotary movement, said couplings including interlocked coupling 'members arranged for separation'rby a relative movement of said members transverse the line of operating shafts and ai' ranged to be h eld 'in connected relation against separation ink positions corresponding to switch-closed and switchopenl posi-l tions. j l

28. vThe combination'of a pair of electric switches having supporting` wheels .and op .erating shafts arrangedY approximately in axial line and means connecting said shafts for conjoint rotary movement comprising coupling members iixed to the 4proximate ends of said shafts, each coupling member having radial splines in the end faces thereof arranged at right angles to each other, and a disc having radial grooves in its opposite end faces'arranged at right angles to each other disposed between said coupling mem- 4bers with the splines of said coupling mem-Y Vobers received movably in the grooves in said disc; i. 29. The combination of a pair of electric v switches'having supporting wheels and opl erating shafts arranged 'approximately' im axial lines and means\connecting said shafts for -conjoint rotary '.movement comprisingv coupling members fixedto the proximate A ends of said shafts, eachv coupling member 40 having radial splines'in the end faces thereof arranged at right angles to eachv other,- and a disc hav-ing radialgrooves in its opposite end faces arranged at right angles to eachV other disposed between said `coupling mem#l bersI with the splines of 'said coupling members received movably in the grooves .in'

s said disc, said splines disposed-in other than a'horizontal position. in-open and closed conditions of the switch. A

30. The combination of a pluralityA of electric switches, wheeled supporting struc#` .tures for ,each switch, whereby the'switch `may be moved about, individual electricallycontrolled switch-,operating means carried by each switch, and means connectingthe switch-operatingmeans of said switchesffor 'the`conjoint operation-.of said switches.

,casing is mounted and 31. TheI combination of a plurality of electric switches, wheeled supporting structures for each switch, whereby the switch may be -m'oved about, electrically-controlled switch-operating means for at least one of said switches carried by the switch, and means detachably, connecting said switchoperating means with all of said switches for the conjoint operation thereof:

32. The combination of a plurality oi' electric switches, individual operating shafts carried by said,A switches, and arranged in approximate axial line, means connecting 70, the proximate ends ofl said operating shafts for' conjoint rotary movement, electricallycontrolled switch-operating means associated with said operating shafts, and means arranged for the Ymanual rotaryl movementr of all of said shafts associated with one ot' said shafts.

83. lThe combination of a pair of electric switches having operatingY shafts, saidi switches each having a wheeled supporting sof tric. switch having ,an enclosing casing in-l i cluding an oil receptacle/.and a switch frame vwhich forms a cover forsaid oil receptacle, l-means connecting said-receptacle and casing, stationaryr and movable switch-members carried by said frame. and disposed within the casing, switch-ov erating mechanism also carried by said rameand disposed within said casing, electrically-operated, switch-actuating means dis osed `externally of and 1.05

supportedvby said rame having. means con'- necting it vwith said enclosed switch-operating mechanism, and wheels on` which said by whichthe switch may be moved about. l 11 y ntestimony Qwhereof, I have signed my namento this specification.

CHESTER n.' AiNswoRTH.' 

